Work on Armenia-Iran Railway to Begin in April

YEREVAN (News.az)—Armenia is set to begin work, early-next year, on a large-scale project aimed at connecting Armenia and Iran through a north-south railway, according to Armenia’s Transport and Communications Minister Gurgen Sargsyan.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Sargsyan said, the first phase of the project will be a feasibility study, scheduled to begin in April 2010.

“An agreement to grant a loan of $ 1 million has been reached with the Asian Development Bank for implementation of the feasibility study of this project, an international tender for the provision of consulting services will be declared in early 2010 and we will begin the direct implementation of the feasibility study in the spring”, he said.

The minister said the project’s first phase will be carried out in two stages. The first will study whether the Yerevan-Ararat and Yerevan-Ashtarak passes are safe for railway travel; the second will begin work on restoring the aged Ashtarak-Gumri rail section; the third stage envisages construction of a new Goris-Kapan railroad.

According to Sargsyan, the government has registered a corporation, titled “Directions for Iran-Armenian railway construction,” to implement the project.

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9 Comments

Finally, they should have this done at least 10 years ago. This is a strategically important for Armenia. In my opinion, they also should (must) start building Yerevan – Stepanakert railway. Railways are cheap and preferred form of transportation; therefore they can play important role integrating Artsax economy with Armenia. Not counting in case of a war where the transportation is a great importance.

Nakhitchevan wasn’t liberated because it is under the protection of turkey, according to some treaty signed in the 30s. Therefore turkey would have had a legit reason to invade Armenia; remember they had already amassed some troops near the border in 1993, it took a statement from the head of Russia’s army, basically that a turkish invasion of Armenia would start WWIII, for the turks to back off.

Yes the Turks lined up one hundred thousand soldiers on the border. If Russia did not intervene and support us , Armenia would be like Cyprus is today , partially controled by the Turkish military. In the long run Armenia has to thrive as a nation ( economically, democracy, corruption etc.) otherwise we will become Armenian Oblast of Russia.

Liberate what? Hate thrieving national people of Armenia. Armenians need to pull back from occupied territories one way or another. You are already an oblast of Russia because Russia is already paying 50% of Armenian Budget. Russians are paying your salaries.. pitty. Another 25% is paid by France. What else. You are accpting killing and occupying Turkish land by killing its citizens. This is normal to all Armenians and of course yourself but if the Turks and Georgians do the same NO they are devils.. Wrong. Take a guess who is and who starts the war….